Here is a profile for Aaron Pitchkolan, a key figure from the club’s NASL era.
Aaron Pitchkolan
- Years with Club: 2013 – 2016 (NASL Era)
- Position: Defensive Midfielder / Center-Back
Aaron Pitchkolan was a cornerstone of Minnesota United during the NASL era, serving as the team’s captain and a stabilizing force during a period of significant growth for the club. A veteran with previous MLS experience (FC Dallas, San Jose), “Pitch” brought a calm, professional presence to the squad. Standing at 6’2″, he was known for his physical strength and versatility; he could seamlessly switch between anchoring the midfield and playing center-back depending on the team’s needs. He was a “glue guy” who did the unglamorous work that allowed attacking talents like Miguel Ibarra and Christian Ramirez to shine.
Key stats (NASL era):
- Appearances: 90+ (One of the club’s consistent starters in the NASL era)
- Goals: 5+
- Honors: NASL Best XI (2013)
Memorable moments:
- The First Assist: Pitchkolan recorded Minnesota United’s first-ever assist under the “United” rebrand on April 20, 2013, setting up a goal with a header against FC Edmonton.
- The Captaincy: For much of his tenure, Pitchkolan wore the captain’s armband. His leadership was instrumental in the 2014 season when Minnesota United finished with the best record in the NASL combined standings (winning the Woosnam Cup), marking one of the most successful regular seasons in the club’s lower-division history.
- The “Terminator”: Known among teammates as a “gym rat,” he was famously fit. Teammate Greg Jordan once joked to the Star Tribune that Pitchkolan looked like “The Terminator” with his shirt off because of his shredded physique, a testament to the professionalism he brought to the locker room.
Where are they now?:
After leaving Minnesota, Pitchkolan transitioned directly into coaching, passing on his defensive expertise to the next generation.
- The Coaching Transition: Following the 2016 season, Pitchkolan moved to Jacksonville Armada FC, where he played his final professional season in 2017. Immediately upon retiring in February 2018, he joined the Armada’s technical staff as an Assistant Coach.
- Head Coach Role: By 2019, he had taken over as the Head Coach for the Jacksonville Armada U-23 team in the NPSL (National Premier Soccer League). In this role, he was responsible for developing young talent, successfully leading the squad to the conference playoffs in his first season in charge.